COMMUNITY HELPERS!!!!

My name is Tristan Walters, I am 16 years old and I joined SYEP because I wanted to occupy myself for the summer and I wanted to have some job experience for future purposes. During my time of SYEP, I hope to understand jobs work and understand what goes in the community like my own and how I can help to improve it with the help of others. I just want to see a peaceful neighborhood because the world as it is isn't that great of a place but if I can change at least a small piece of it I'll try my best.

My name is Abigail Astwood. I'm a well rounded 16 year old who is always looking for a way to better myself. That is why I joined the Summer Youth Program. Last year I joined SYEP and had a great experience; I meet lots of diverse people, challenged myself, and learned valuable skills all while having fun. That is why i joined again this year. I aspire to use this asset to my fullest advantage when considering career options.

Hello my name is Montez Moses. I'm 14 years old turning 15 in Oct,28,18. I love to draw, dance, rap, play sports, watch movies, and relax with friends. I came to summer youth and chose SYEP not only for the money and it sounded easy but to learn more about my surroundings and how a kid like me with lots of help from others make it better. I would love to have a clean environment where people clean up after themselves, no fights, no police brutalities, and just no bad vibes.

My name is Destiny Stevens and I am currently 17 years old . I will be attending college this year and decided to join SYEP for the last time before I enter into college. I decided this because I wanted to get enough job experience before I start a new job in college. I also know that I want to major in business management/ marketing and this job fits the criteria which would better improve my skills in my college courses. I also needed a little bit of money to help pay for things like clothes , food , and stuff for my new dorm room. This will probably be my last year in SYEP before I get a real version of the business world. I hope someday I am able to own my own business and be able to care of my family, community and the poor. MY goal is to have enough money to help others because if I help others it'll just bring about positivity. I also want to become successful in YouTube so that I can understand marketing a little more so that I am able to market my own products.

Our desire is for the community to come together and help each other.

#bkmscc #syep #Helper

Reflection on Our First Week of Working at BKMSCC

1) How would you sustain your community?

Y: I don't think my community is a bad place. I live in a Spanish speaking neighborhood in Queens and even though their music can be a little overbearing at 2AM, I'm satisfied with where I live. There might be some instances where I might smell something funny or hear something weird, but overall, it doesn't affect the community in a negative way.

M: I'll improve on the garbage in my area. Make my community more eco-friendly. otherwise my community's violence have decrease over the years so its more about my community's appearance. I'll help sustain by joining my local Housing Authority to clean the area and ask people to better organize their trash.

2) What do you want to do in life?

Y: I'm sort of undecided as to what I want to do in life, but I may go towards a career in computer programming due to technology playing such a big role in this generation. I heard you don't have to be good at computers to do coding and even though it might be hard - what isn't?

M: I wanna major psychology in college and use my experience to help others in the community get over certain problems either dealing with home, school, family, etc.

3) What do you need to sustain yourself?

Y & M: There are six food items you should always have in your house in order to sustain yourself. Milk, eggs, bread, butter, potatoes and onions. Having these items at all times makes life easier since you can make various meals out of them.

#SYEP

Q and A with Residents & Business Owners of East New York

On July 12, 2017, the SYEP workers went around East New York and interviewed business owners and locals in East New York about their thoughts on the community.  

1) What is your name, age and occupation?

• Marcy, age 25, manager of Wicked Threadz Hair Salon. 

• Charlotte Richardson, age 54, works for foster care. 

• Lamont White, age 48, owner of El & Johns Barber Shop. 

2) What's your opinion of your neighborhood? What should we fix? 

Marcy: I've lived in East New York all my life. I think the neighborhood has gotten better compared to... maybe 10 years ago. But it does need more work. 

Charlotte: East New York is up and coming now. The neighborhood is much better due to the increase of working class people that have arrived in the last two years. I think there should be more programs for the youth to get involved in and a park for New Lots and Wyona St. 

Lamont: I've lived in East New York for over 45 years and I've seen the area change from a lot of different dynamics. I think it's a good place to live in right now because of the diverse people moving in after gentrification, but if we had to fix something, it should be the subway lines and more interaction with the youth. 

3) Do you contribute to your neighborhood? Do you feel that you're an asset to the community?  

Marcy: I contribute to my neighborhood by participating in a Back to School Drive. We give out free school supplies, food and beverages. 

Charlotte: I contribute to my community by working for foster care. 

Lamont: Every year for the past 15 years, I like to host a Father's Day gathering where people donate, give food and interact with kids. It's really fun. I also do a food service job to give back to the community.  

#bkmscc #walk #SYEP #Brooklyn #Sustainability